Our Team
Kate Stoetzner
Executive Director
[email protected]
- Create and execute a strategic plan for the Padnos International Center that aligns with the university’s overall goals.
- Provide leadership to enhance the PIC’s mission, reputation, and effectiveness.
- Initiate and support programs that promote international education and cross-cultural understanding.
- Establish and maintain partnerships with foreign universities, organizations, and governments.
- Oversee the center’s budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
- Develop and implement policies related to international programs and activities.
Liz Montoya
Assistant Director
[email protected]
• Responsible for alumni engagement including the online network and international & domestic events.
• Serves on the Global Grand Rapids task force and supports all events and initiatives.
• Contributes to the development of programs for the Padnos International Center.
• Assists with international student orientation in the fall and winter semesters.
Vicki Wenger
Padnos International Center Assistant
[email protected]
- Office Manager
- Assist Executive Director
- Manage budgets
- Travel & expense forms
- Notary Public
- Workday
Ehren Kuzekov
Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships
[email protected]
- Monitor and respond to crisis and risk management related to education abroad
- Manage GVSU’s institutional international partnerships and represent GVSU to international partners
- Review study abroad applications
- Set policies for study abroad and evaluate international activities
- Manage study abroad credit transfer process
- Provide overall management of daily study abroad operations
- Advise faculty, staff and students on study abroad issues and concerns
Elizabeth Jawish
Director of International Student and Scholar Services
[email protected]
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Advocate for iStudents at GVSU and in the Community
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Primary Immigration Advisor to F-1 and J-1 Students
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Lead ISS Team
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Advance services for iStudents
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Oversee Visiting Scholars and Visiting Staff
Meaghann Myers-Smith
Study Abroad Advisor
[email protected]
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Advise GVSU students interested in academic international experiences including financial, academic, cultural, health and safety issues
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Counsel students with unique issues (disabilities, dependents, chronic health issues, identity concerns) to enable them to successfully participate in study abroad.
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Assist with compiling student trends/statistics
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Coordinate study abroad fairs
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Supervise and train peer adviser staff
Jaime Pleyte
Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Partnerships
- Post GVSU Study Abroad Acceptance - Long Term Study Abroad Exchange and Provider Programs
- Pre-Departure Orientations - Policies, Expectations, Cultural Adjustment, Insurance
- Forms - Pre-Departure, Financial Aid Agreement, Study Abroad Budget, Visa Forms, external provider forms
- Course Approvals - GVSU Course Codes, Issues, Gen Eds, Study Abroad Transcript Verification
- Returned Student - Welcome Back Event, Work Abroad Event
Kirsten Bartels
Faculty-Led Program Coordinator
- Assists with the development, assessment, and improvement of Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Programs;
- Conducts pre-departure trainings and informational sessions for faculty and students;
- Manages behind-the-scenes logistics to aid in the execution of the Programs;
- Answers questions and assists with problem-solving including visa applications, budgets, and health insurance;
- Renders assistance and aid as needed
Kristen Cloutier
International Programs Coordinator
- Advising and coordinating for Internship and Independent Study experiences abroad.
- Marketing, promotion, and events for Padnos International Center.
- Management of student outreach worker and outreach tasks for PIC.
Alissa Lane
International Programs Coordinator
[email protected]
- Manages study abroad publications
- Assists with study abroad outreach
- Manages study abroad website
- Oversees social media
Samantha Rypstra
International Programs Specialist
[email protected]
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Updates programs, applications, and forms in our online portal for study abroad students
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Responsible for data collection and management to track and improve study abroad programs and agreements with partner universities and/or providers
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Assists with pre-departure processes for sponsored programs abroad (conferences, sports team travel, etc.)
Andres Ortiz-Estevez
Coordinator International Student Services
- International student guidance and support surrounding cultural adjustment, immigration, legal matters, health and safety.
- Immigration guidance and advice for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
- Advocacy across campus for appropriate resources and support for international students.
- Advising and documentation for both Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 program and a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 program.
- Student engagement and international student event planning.
- Advisor for the International Student Organization (Uniting Nations).
Holl Nguyen-Mills
Office Coordinator
[email protected]
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Supports the International Student and Scholar Services Team with background work including booking rooms for events, ordering catering, and arranging meetings for the ISS team.
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Arranges itinerary for GVSU’s International Visiting Scholars from our partner schools.
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Serves as primary contact for our exchange partners who send students and faculty/staff to GVSU.
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Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer in SEVIS for J-1 students and scholars.
Emily Sumney
Coordinator International Student Services
- Support and advocate for international students
- Help international students adjust culturally, academically, and legally to GVSU and the U.S.
- Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 students and conduct immigration advising
- Connect international students with on- and off-campus resources and facilitate opportunities for iStudents to engage and integrate with our community
Front Desk Workers & Grad Assistants
Meet our Front Desk Workers & Grad Assistants!
Peer Advisers
Meet the Peer Adviser Staff!
Peer advisers are an essential part of the PIC Team! They help guide students through the study abroad process.